Letter: Reasons why to vote Liberal or not in provincial election

This analysis deals not with the platform but with the more instructive past performance.

If I vote Liberal on May 14, it will be for the following reasons.

Major Reasons:

• In 1992, when the NDP was elected, B.C.’s GDP per capita was eight per cent above the Canadian average. By 2001, when the NDP was defeated, it was eight per cent below. Now it’s again above the average. In 2013 Moody’s awarded B.C. its highest possible rating— Triple A. Moody’s praised “the province’s track record of prudent fiscal planning and of managing fiscal pressures effectively.”

• B.C. has the lowest income tax rate in Canada for those earning less than $120,000. The small business tax rate is now half what it was under the NDP.

• With the Port Mann Bridge and freeway widening the Liberals remedied this bottleneck.

• The rebuilt BC Place Stadium is spectacular.

• The new Convention Centre is magnificent.

• An example of many major projects is Rio Tinto’s scheduled $3.3 billion upgrade to its Kitimat aluminum smelter creating 2,500 construction and 1,000 long-term jobs.

Secondary Reasons:

• The minimum wage was increased to $10.25.

• The Canadian Federation of Independent Business awarded B.C. an “A” for leading all provinces in red tape reduction.

• Since June, 2012 welfare recipients can earn up to $200 a month without clawback.

• With Liberal support, B.C. is now a world leader in clean tech with over 200 clean tech firms generating an estimated $2.5 billion in revenue in 2011.

• In 2012 the government lost $35 million by rejecting a tentative deal with Telus to rename BC Place Stadium.

Secondary Reasons:

• British Columbians pay more than twice what Ontarians do for generic drugs.

• Instead of lowering rates, the Liberals’ 2010 budget transferred $778 million of ICBC surplus funds to general revenue.

• $780,000 was spent on a pro-HST mailer that was never mailed.

• $100,000 was spent improving the Coquihalla Toll Plaza a few months before tolls were abolished and it was removed.

• After its big sale to CN in 2003, BC Rail was left with 40 kilometres of track and 30 employees. CEO Kevin Mahoney reportedly continued to be paid $500,000 a year.

• Numerous high salaries and severances are unconscionable. In 2010 almost 99 per cent of BC Hydro’s 6,000 employees received bonuses totalling $42.3 million. Almost 40 per cent, 2,371, earned more than $100,000. When Premier Christy Clark released aide Allan Seckel, his severance was $549,776.

• The first Family Day holiday cost the average small business $1,135. B.C.’s economy lost at least $200 million.

• With rising prices, the Land Transfer Tax is unfair.

I have studied the issues and have decided how I will vote. I urge all voters to do likewise.